Nicola Bulley inquest: Live updates as two-day hearing into mum-of-two's death takes place in Preston
and live on Freeview channel 276
Dr James Adeley, Lancashire’s Senior Coroner, delivered his findings following two days of evidence at County Hall in Preston.
When Nicola went missing on January 27, a more than three-week search followed, garnering almost unprecedented social media and public attention.
Nicola Bulley inquest as coroner probes mum-of-two’s death - latest updates
Key Events
- Evidence surrounding Nicola Bulley’s death to be heard over two days at County Hall in Preston
- The mother-of-two died of drowning, hearing hears
- There is no suggestion of any foul play according to the experts called to speak on Monday morning
Father’s tribute
“She was a great daughter, sister and mother. We couldn’t ask for any more from her.”
“Tragic accident”
Sophie Cartwright KC, the family barrister for the Bulleys, is now presenting her final submissions to Dr James Adeley after all the witnesses have been called.
“The only appropriate conclusion is accidental death.... what happened on the river bank shortly after 9.18am was a tragic accident.”
Following her statement, Dr Adeley will retire for a couple of hours to consider his findings.
No more rumours
“There has been much rumour and suspicion and speculation around Nikki’s death but the family are very clearly of the view and submit to you that that rumour and speculation is allayed completely when looking at all the evidence.”
Clarification around the scream heard
Baring in mind the timing of the screams mentioned in yesterday’s evidence, the family submit through their barrister that they are irrelevant to proceedings.
Morning recap
A recap of what happened at the hearing this morning as we wait for Dr James Adeley to return with his findings.
Conclusion imminent
Dr James Adeley is due to return imminently to give his findings and deliver a conclusion - the family having asked Nicola Bulley’s death to be recorded as “accidental”.
Dr James Adeley returns
Lancashire Senior’s Coroner is back to report his findings. He’s started be recapping the evidence that we’ve heard over the last couple of days.
Last sighting
The evidence suggests that Nicola was last seen alive at 9.10am, interacted with her phone at 9.18am and was then not in the area around the bench at 9.33am when Penny Fletcher found her dog Willow, the harness and her phone still connected to the Teams Call.